Chapter 54

From the perspective of its impact, the GDR's construction of the Berlin Wall was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the free world. Starting with a simple barbed wire blockade, influential newspapers from the US, UK, and France continuously criticized the action, and diplomats repeatedly lodged stern protests with the GDR or the Soviet Union. However, these efforts were largely in vain...

Even if the people of these Western countries saw daily updates on the progress of the Berlin Wall in the newspapers, over time they would become accustomed to it. In the first week, they were constantly worried about a direct confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union. In the second week, they watched to see if diplomats could ease tensions. After two weeks, they would merely glance at the updates as a matter of routine, quickly moving on to other information. Constantly focusing on one news story can also lead to visual fatigue.

Compared to the massive public opinion generated by the US, UK, and France, Yury Andropov, who had personally lit the fuse, was hiding in the barracks of the 65th Guards Tank Regiment. No Western journalist could break through the 65th Guards Tank Regiment's defenses to find him, allowing him to fully enjoy the thrill of running after making a bold move.

The tit-for-tat was thrilling, but the massive wave of public opinion in the Western world was destined to be futile, as the Soviet side did not respond at all. Although Andropov was still the main character, the newspapers in Eastern Europe focused on the Third Chief Directorate's cleanup operations, starting with Poland and Hungary, two countries that had nearly seen nationwide resistance a few years earlier, then moving to the GDR, which was home to Western military forces. This eventually attracted the attention of the entire Eastern European press, creating a very strange phenomenon: just as the free world's media was preparing to engage in a battle with their Soviet counterparts, they were surprised to find that no one was paying attention to them.

This situation was like declaring your love to your beloved under her dormitory, only to have her roommate tell you that she was out with her boyfriend and would be staying overnight.

"Unmasking Andropov? Exploring the youngest secret police chief of the KGB?" The accompanying photo was skillfully taken, showing Andropov standing on a tank with his back to Stevenson, pointing to the 65th Guards Tank Regiment. If he remembered correctly, at that moment he was asking Red Army soldiers if they could occupy West Berlin in two hours.

"This demon from the Caucasus, from the moment he entered the public eye, had his hands stained with the blood of the people, hehe..." Andropov, holding the newspaper, ignored the blocked view, picked up the heart-shaped apple on the table with one hand, which Isayevna had prepared for him, and took a bite. The remaining two-thirds of the apple returned to the table, the clear tooth marks telling the story of its poor treatment. "It should be the blood of the people's enemies!" Andropov's voice came from behind the newspaper as he chewed.

The article then fabricated a few examples based on Andropov's resume, which he found quite entertaining. But why was there no mention of the prison cleanup in the Caucasus? Was it unknown or too risky to write about? "In the end, this demon, with his cruel methods, successfully entered the Soviet Union's most notorious agency, the KGB. Hmm? To be continued?" Andropov tore the newspaper to shreds and shouted, "Dead eunuchs, eunuchs have no human rights!"

What's this? It's over already? The feeling of being left hanging was truly unbearable. The two-thirds of the apple on the table did not escape unscathed, being gnawed into an apple core by the furious Andropov.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Director?" Lukani, pushing the door open, saw Andropov pacing around the office like a headless fly, with a newspaper on the table, the English markings still visible. Was the newspaper criticizing the director?

"Hmm? Nothing, just a small matter!" Ignoring the woman's suspicious gaze, he took the file from her chest, glanced at it, and stroked his chin, saying, "Interesting, they've gathered people from two major socialist countries. It's still early, let's keep an eye on them. We have plenty of time to kick them out before we leave Berlin."

Since visiting the Chinese restaurant, Andropov had not seen Cai Zhiwu, who claimed to be from Northeast China. Lukani had arranged for surveillance of the restaurant, and the information in the file truly showed Andropov what it meant to be up-to-date. He wondered if the Russians who frequently visited the restaurant shared the same proletarian revolutionary spirit as the current Sino-Soviet relationship.

"After the blockade of West Berlin began, we have identified the people who frequently entered the Chinese restaurant. All their identities have been disguised, but we have found discrepancies, confirming that they are not Soviet citizens!" Lukani reported to Andropov.

"The Second Chief Directorate would not make a mistake. If they are not Soviet citizens, then they must be White Russians! There are millions of White Russians scattered across Europe and America, and it would be easy for the US to find a few to infiltrate back. With strict scrutiny in the Soviet Union, they cannot return, so they targeted Greater Berlin. Unfortunately for them..." Andropov smiled coldly, "they didn't expect West Berlin to be sealed off!"

"How is the progress on the Berlin Wall?" Andropov asked, his mind racing. He had been staying in the barracks for several days and hadn't gone to the Berlin Wall recently.

"The wall is already complete, standing 4.5 meters high and 40 centimeters thick. All six-meter-high watchtowers will be completed within two days. High-powered searchlights and infrared lights have been delivered to the construction site and are stored in the 28 camps of the Berlin Wall's internal guard forces. The Berlin Wall will be fully operational within three days!" Lukani answered meticulously.

"Good. In three days, hold a joint press conference with Director Markus Wolf to announce the issues with the Western military forces!" Andropov calculated the time and issued the order. Once the Berlin Wall was fully operational, according to the plan by Andropov and Markus Wolf, the newly renovated sewers and power grid would begin to operate, cutting off West Berlin's electricity and water supply. The project to divert the Spree and Havel rivers would also begin, ensuring that the new canals would not flow through West Berlin's territory.

However, the canal project was far more extensive than the Berlin Wall, and Andropov was not going to wait for its completion.

On May 27th, the Berlin Wall was fully operational. Andropov, who had been hiding in the barracks, rarely appeared with Markus Wolf. The Berlin Wall, 140 kilometers long, was not as tall and thick as the walls of the Kazan prison, but for an unarmed person, the sheer, vertical wall without any footholds was still an insurmountable barrier. A significant portion of the funds Andropov had secured from the KGB was invested in the wall, including high-powered searchlights and infrared lights from the Soviet Union, optical instruments and shooting barriers produced in the GDR, and the electrified fence on the wall, creating a barrier to seal off West Berlin.

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